This is part of the worship series,
"God in Three Persons"
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Pentecost Sunday
God the Holy Spirit
Scripture
John 16:12–15; Acts 2; (Joel 2:28–32, included in Acts reading); Psalm 143
Sermon-Building Ideas
How about this for a sermon idea? On Pentecost Sunday, standing in the pulpit about to begin your message, you point your finger to the back of the sanctuary and, eyes wide with surprise, shout, “FIRE! FIRE!” Once all the head turning and commotion has settled down, you go on to explain that the coming of the Holy Spirit with tongues of fire created quite a stir in the Jerusalem crowd as well. . . . Nah. Something about this idea tells me it wouldn’t fly.
Actually, the work of the Spirit generally does not cause a commotion. The Spirit is the most clandestine of the divine trio, working powerfully yet quietly behind the scenes.
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is Christocentric. Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit “will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears. . . . He will bring glory to me” (John 16:13-14) He serves to uncover the life and work of Christ. In a sense he acts like a spotlight. Hidden behind a rock or bush, a spotlight shines forth and illuminates a building. It does not draw attention to itself, but rather helps the eye see something other than itself. Not that the role of the Spirit is inferior. Who would Jesus be to us if it were not for the Spirit? He would either be a really good guy we should listen to for some helpful advice or, considering his claims, he would be a person with serious mental deficiencies. Only the Holy Spirit can enlighten and convict us that Jesus is not only much more, but much different—he is God incarnate, whose life and sacrificial death means reconciliation with God the Father for all who believe.
Sensitive to the hidden fashion of the Spirit’s operations, Rembrandt has pictured the Holy Spirit accordingly. Where is the third person in this etching? The visual manifestation Rembrandt has chosen to depict the Holy Spirit is the people gathered to hear Jesus. They have come because the Spirit has brought them together. If the church is a fitting analogy for the Trinity, as Jesus has expressed in his prayer, the Holy Spirit is surely represented by those who gather to hear and respond to the Word.
The Holy Spirit is the glue that binds the richly diverse members of the church to be the one body of Christ. Consider the variety of people sitting around you in the pew every Sunday. Consider the eclectic group gathered around Jesus. Notice how the two groups are quite similar: an elderly man standing to receive the blessing; a teen with a slightly cynical expression; a toddler paying little or no attention; a mom cradling an infant; a stalwart religious leader keeping his distance; and an intellectual scratching his chin in thought. How is it possible that a group of such wide backgrounds and experiences can work together, serve together, with such unity and cooperation? The only possible answer is the Holy Spirit.
Signs of the Paraclete surround us, leaving evidence as the invisible wind conveys its presence through the motion of trees. Moving messages, changed hearts, transformed minds, healed bodies, reconciled relationships, met needs, jubilant song, and poignant prayer are all evidence of the Spirit’s active presence as well as our intimate relationship to the Trinity. The new community formed by those baptized on Pentecost in Jerusalem shared in the abundant provision of the Father, heard the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and responded by the power of the Spirit.
Prayer
Almighty and Holy Spirit, the comforter, pure, living, true—illumine, govern, sanctify me, and confirm my heart and mind in the faith, and in all genuine consolation; preserve and rule over me so that, dwelling in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, I may behold the Lord and praise him with joyful spirit, and in union with all the heavenly Church. Amen.
—Philipp Melanchthon, 1497–1560, public domain.
Songs
“For the Gift of God the Spirit” Clarkson
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” Medema (Sing as a frame around the congregational prayers of intercession.)
“Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song” Daw, Jr.
“Come Lord Jesus, Send Us Your Spirit” Haas
Revised Common Lectionary
Years A, B, C: Easter—Day of Pentecost
